Gyokuro

Gyokuro (Japanese玉露, dt "noble dewdrops " ) applicable in Germany as the highest grade of Japanese green tea.

However, there are other Japanese teas such as Sencha and especially Matcha ( powdered tea ), which may be of high quality as well. The special feature of Gyokuro is a hand rearing for about 21 days in full shade and on the other hand, the dramatically different preparation, because you take the approximately 15 times the amount of tea leaves, compared with Sencha. By raising the shade bitter substances can be greatly reduced and you can and should prepare him for this very hard to bring the special taste in the cup. His noble flavor is very aromatic and mild. In Japan, one often uses this tea on special occasions to prove its guests a special honor.

Cultivation

Gyokuro is growing in the growing area Uji near Kyoto, in the main growing region Shizuoka, in the growing areas on Kyushu and others. Meanwhile, he is also grown in China, but differs in taste and priced very heavily on the Japanese version.

The plants are of networks ( Kabuse ) or bamboo or reed mats covered as soon as they begin to be working late April. Thus, less form tannins and bitter substances than about the Sencha and the leaves have a very high chlorophyll content, which contributes significantly to the flavor of the tea. Only the tenderest and softest sheets will eventually be used for Gyokuro.

Price

The price of Japanese Gyokuro starts at about 18 euros for 100 grams and can be well above 100 euros for 100 grams depending on quality. Gyokuro is thus one of the most expensive green tea places in the world. Gyokuro from China costs less than half.

Preparation

Temperature

As this high-quality tea is very sensitive, this should be prepared at a low temperature between 50 ° C and 60 ° C. Gyokuro loses its gentle, highly aromatic flavor when it is infused with boiling or hot water. Through a hot infusion to dissolve the increasingly bitter substances and the tea loses its actual flavor. To prevent this from happening and the tea can be enjoyed still warm, you should rinse the tea cups and the teapot with hot water, so that they are already pre-heated before the tea is poured, thus cooling the tea is prevented.

Gyokuro and other high-quality teas can also be prepared with melting ice cubes (shinobi -cha ).

Infusions

The first infusion should take about two minutes. For further infusions ( up to eight are possible three you should be at least enjoy ) rich 30 seconds completely, while the leaves are still moist.